Could booking flights in advance be your ticket to travel bliss?
With Mainland China relaxing nearly all international Covid-19 travel restrictions and reopening to the world after a three-year hiatus, travel to the Asian epicentre is finally possible again.
With Cathay Pacific officially opening direct flights between South Africa to Hong Kong from August, now is the perfect time to start planning and booking travel for 2023.
Booking flights, accommodation, transfers and other travel activities well in advance has a wealth of benefits, not least of which is the fact that pre-booking during an off-peak or promotional travel period can save you money. A good example is Cathay Pacific’s Easter fare promotion kicking off in April, that allows South African travellers to save up to 30% on flights, for travel between 01 August 2023 and 30 November 2023. Aside from the financial benefit, booking ahead eases stress, helps you plan your year more efficiently, and gives you an exciting event to look forward to.
The luxury of choice
Booking well in advance affords travellers the opportunity to choose the flights and hotels that best suit their needs, budget and preferences – instead of being forced into booking a departure at an inconvenient time of day, or accommodation that is less than desirable.
For destinations like Hong Kong, where the best hotels and travel experiences tend to get snatched up fairly quickly, booking in advance gives you access to more options, and allows you to take your time and make the right booking decision. And, with tickets to Hong Kong now available on the Cathay website, and flights set to begin operating in and out of Johannesburg on Tuesdays, Fridays, and Sundays from August, you have more than enough time to plan your travel.
Enjoy peace of mind
Many airline companies release their flight schedules a year in advance, which is welcomed by travellers who already have an idea of the dates they would like to travel. Knowing that your flights have been booked at a cheaper rate than booking at the last minute and have been confirmed for the period you wish to travel is a huge weight off your shoulders.
South African travellers can save up to 30% on fares to Mainland China – Shanghai, Beijing, Xiamen, Hangzhou, Guangzhou and many more destinations that are now accessible via Hong Kong on Cathay Pacific. With the airline’s endless inflight entertainment options ranging from Hollywood new releases, Asian cinema classics, award-winning TV box sets, to the latest albums, podcasts, games and now HBO Max, you can plan how you want to be entertained as you glide through the skies.
Play with your itinerary
With flights and accommodation sorted early on, you have a lot more time to plan how you’ll spend your time when you get there. This also means you’ll likely enjoy better rates on tours, tickets to popular attractions and more. You will also have more than enough time to research the best places to eat, the most beautiful places to visit, and local and lesser-known shopping destinations, with the knowledge of your hotel’s proximity to these points of attraction helping you make more informed decisions.
Booking in advance also gives you the opportunity to look into the latest promotions that airlines may be running. For instance, South African passengers who book on Travel Thursdays can earn an extra 2,000 bonus miles from Cathay using a special promo code.
Time to get your mind in holiday mode
Who doesn’t love the feeling of counting down to an upcoming exciting holiday, especially when the stress of work and the routine of life has us in need of a well-deserved break to look forward to in the future. With bookings locked in, it also gives you time to tick items off your to-do list – tackle those big work projects, book medical check-ups for the family, or finish up any home projects you’ve been meaning to get done, before you jet off. Booking your flights and other travel requirements well in advance is always a good idea, helping you save money, time and hassle in the long run.
About Cathay Pacific
Cathay Pacific is the home airline of Hong Kong, offering scheduled passenger and cargo services to destinations in Asia, North America, Australia, Europe and Africa. Cathay Pacific is a member of the Swire Group and is listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. The airline has made substantial investments to develop Hong Kong as one of the world’s leading global transportation hubs. Cathay Pacific is a founder member of the oneworld global alliance.
For more information, please visit www.cathaypacific.com.
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